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Bar Carrera Getting Bigger in the East Village; Did We Mention Bar Blanc Is Like a Bar But Better?

<strong>Astoria</strong>: Tell Astorya doesn&#8217;t seem to be reopening anytime soon. [<a href="http://astorianyc.blogspot.com/2008/02/tell-astorya-no-more.html">Joey in Astoria</a>]
<strong>Clinton Hill</strong>: Green Planet has opened with its shelves stocked with vitamins and drink mixes, but some still hope that actual produce could turn up. [<a href="http://www.clintonhillblog.com/?p=1407">Clinton Hill Blog</a>]
<strong>East Village</strong>: The sliver of a Spanish restaurant <a href="http://nymag.com/listings/bar/bar-carrera/">Bar Carrera</a> is expanding into the space next door. [<a href="http://eater.com/archives/2008/02/wrap.php#more">Eater</a>]
<strong>Midtown West</strong>: <a href="http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/south-gate/">South Gate</a> has nifty, hand-held, touch-screen wine lists, which sound similar to the bar-top ones at <a href="http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/adour-alain-ducasse/">Adour</a>. [<a href="http://www.zagat.com/Blog/Detail.aspx?SCID=40&BLGID=9847">Zagat</a>]
<strong>West Village</strong>: Lucky couples (or specifically, husbands) who scored a table at <a href="http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/one-if-by-land-two-if-by-sea/">One If by Land</a> this Thursday will find the food finally on par with the carriage-house setting now that <a href="http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/picholine/">Picholine </a>alum Craig Hopson is manning the beef Wellington and adding his own dishes &#8212; like Gruy&#232;re gnocchi with wild Burgundy snails &#8212; to the menu. [<a href="http://nycblog.citysearch.com/bottomlessdish/2008/02/chef-talk-craig.html">Bottomless Dish/Citysearch</a>] Danyelle Freeman labels Bar Blanc "an ambitious restaurant in a laid-back disguise," almost like <a href="http://nymag.com/restaurants/reviews/43253/">a watering hole with restaurant-caliber cooking</a>. [<a href="http://www.restaurantgirl.com/restaurantgirl/2008/02/bar-blanc---rev.html">Restaurant Girl</a>]
Related: <a href="http://nymag.com/daily/food/2008/02/one_if_by_land_breaks_out_a_bar_menu_and_not_a_minute_too_soon.html">One If by Land Breaks Out a Bar Menu, and Not a Minute Too Soon</a>